Police: Nat’l Zoo Shooting Was Part of Dispute Between Rival Gangs

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WASHINGTON (WNEW) — The April 21 shooting outside the National Zoo was part of a dispute between rival gangs, police say.

The 14-year-old boy Southwest D.C. boy charged with the shootings made his first court appearance Monday. WNEW Senior Correspondent Mark Segraves was allowed to observe the hearing on the condition that he not identify the boy, since he’s a minor.

Segraves reports that the boy pleaded not guilty to 13 counts, including attempted murder.

Police, however, told the judge he already confessed. And, all three witnesses including the suspect’s brother said the 7th grader opened fire into a crowd of rival gang members from Prince George’s County. This is the third time the suspect has been arrested.

His mother told the judge her son is a good boy who has been let down by the system. She pleaded for him to be allowed to come home, but the judge said he is a danger to society and ordered him locked up until his trial next month.

The judge also denied the boy’s request to hug his mom goodbye at the end of the hearing.